Ylang Ylang Essential Oil (Cananga odorata)

The name ylang ylang comes from the Malay for 'flower of flowers'. Its nickname 'poor man's jasmine' does not do justice to its powerfully sweet, rich heady fragrance. When added to the bath the fragrant aroma can help to lift the spirits and may even have aphrodisiac properties!

Yarrow Extract (Achillea millefolium)

Traces of this native European herb have been found in Neanderthal burial caves, suggesting its usage goes back 60,000 years. Yarrow was for centuries an indispensable medicinal herb. Native American tribes believed it could cure everything from sore throats and toothache to indigestion and bowel complaints. We use it for its astringent and soothing properties.

Yangu Oil (Calodendrum capense)

Belonging to the citrus family, yangu trees are native to Africa from northern Kenya to eastern South Africa. Clusters of beautiful pink flowers have made the tree an ornamental favourite in sub-tropical regions. The shiny black seeds from the fruit contain around 60% oil. Being an emollient, yangu seed oil helps to smooth and soften the hair shaft.

Ylang ylang (Cananga odorata (ylang ylang) flower oil)

Both powerfully floral and intensely sweet, ylang ylang fades into a softer, slightly spicy and balsamic sweet, creamy floral note. It pushes the spicy note of the Indian jasmine and reinforces the other flowers. The blossoms used for the essential oil in Botanical Essence No.100 are handpicked from plantation-grown trees in the Comoros Islands. The yellow ylang ylang blossom is so delicate that it is distilled in small stills to avoid the flowers crushing each other and impacting the fragrance.